At the Louvre: Part One
The Louvre, approaching from Metro Station
Anyone who knows I went to Paris asks if I've been to see whatever museum they loved the most -- Musée Auguste Rodin, or the Musée Marmottan to see the Monets, or Musée Picasso... and, of course, the most famous museum in the world.
My grant for the trip was for a specific purpose -- to soak up the atmosphere and find the locales that were needed to finish my book and, unfortunately for the art lover in me, most of the action of the book does not take place in art museums.
However, a good deal of the events take place by night and on Wednesday nights, the Louvre is open late. So, for atmosphere and information (as well as for the art lover), I did manage to shoehorn in a quick trip to the Musée du Louvre.
The night we went was cold and raining, but it was quite beautiful as we approached the Pyramid entrance to the museum.
Inside the Courtyard
I understand that entering the Louvre during the day, the Pyramid entrance is a madhouse. But we didn't find any crowds at all and that was a good thing, as we only had about an hour and a half or so to hit the highlights.
First up, of course, the Mona Lisa (aka La Giaconda, or La Joconde).
Mona Through the Plexiglass
It's really rather difficult to say what I thought of the actual painting. It is, after all, the most famous painting in the world. A masterpiece. Subject of scholarly books, film, fiction and speculation. She evokes the spirit of the Renaissance, the feminine mysteries, and even speculation on the origins of the power of European Monarchy and it's connection to the Roman Catholic church.
However, she's also locked away behind about a foot of bullet proof glass and a guard rail that keeps the viewing public about 20 feet away. Between the distance and the low level lighting, it's hard to get any kind of real feel for the real painting! Which means you just have to kind of rely on your reactions to her mystique and history and reputation. Which prompts some silly responses:
Me and Mona
Two Inscrutible Women
MaryAnn's other response being even sillier: she "crushed" the Mona Lisa's head, a la The Kids in the Hall.
Next up, one of the other highlights on my list, The Winged Victory of Samothrace.
Nike
I've wanted to see this statue ever since I saw the movie Funny Face as a kid, and was totally enthralled by the scene where Audrey Hepburn runs down the steps at the Louvre, the stole of her evening gown flying out behind her like the wings of Victory.
Sadly, I didn't see Audrey on the steps -- just a group of other tourists who refused to get out of the picture.
Annoying tourists ruin my shot
Ah well, we'll always have the movie.
Then we raced on to the gallery containing the Venus de Milo.
Noted for her charms
Again, so famous you almost don't know how to react. I mean, she's beautiful, and armless, all as advertised and depicted. A bit larger than I thought. I decided to get some photos of unusual angles of her torso.
MaryAnn Johanson, once again, chose the "headcrusher" reaction.
The minutes were ticking swiftly away, and there was one more thing I really wanted to see -- and the gift shop was calling!
To be continued.
Technorati Tags: The Louvre, Paris, Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo
